Following successful trials at NaREC, tidal developers will be better placed to demonstrate and launch their full scale devices at open sea deployment sites.

The new facility, based at the Tees Barrage, Stockton-on-Tees, will compliment NaREC’s existing marine renewable capabilities in Northumberland for grid connection, power conversion, and large scale wave device testing. NaREC’s range of full scale prototype testing facilities for marine renewables will help to drive the advancement of wave and tidal technologies across Europe, being a key stepping stone for developers as they take their concepts to market.

The first trials at the Barrage will take place at the launch event on 8 June. The event will bring together tidal developers, investors and industry stakeholders who are invited to witness these first demonstrations and discuss future projects. The demonstration tests will involve a tidal turbine prototype known as ‘Evopod’, developed by marine consultancy Overberg Limited. The event will include a networking lunch and a number of technical presentations including a keynote speech from CEO of NaREC Andrew Mill, and Graeme Mackie, MD of Overberg Limited.

There are many companies worldwide developing unique technologies to harness wave and tidal energy. In order to make these concepts market leaders, developers must follow a strict development process, gradually increasing the size of their prototype models from small scale to full scale.

Jamie Grimwade, marine renewable technical specialist at NaREC said, ‘Tidal renewables are well on their way to becoming commercial. The tide is highly predictable and submerged tidal turbine concepts present no visual impact. NaREC is in a great position to give this market sector the support it needs to fast track the testing and evaluation of concepts in a big way.’